Category Archives: Solano County News

Post navigation

Featured

So much has changed for all of us these last few weeks. Many essential workers have found themselves without child care due to school and child care closures. Solano Family & Children’s Services has a list of available child care in Solano County. We also have some funding to help pay for child care costs for children of essential workers, for a limited time. If you are in need of a child care provider or help paying for child care, contact Solano Family & Children’s Services at www.solanofamily.org. Or, click on the survey link below:

Featured

So much has changed for all of us these last few weeks. Many essential workers have found themselves without child care due to school and child care closures. Solano Family & Children’s Services has a list of available child care in Solano County. We also have some funding to help pay for child care costs for children of essential workers, for a limited time. If you are in need of a child care provider or help paying for child care, contact Solano Family & Children’s Services at www.solanofamily.org.

On April 17, 2020 we invited all of our Licensed Providers to a scheduled Zoom meeting, where they learned about the temporary changes put in place to help our clients during the COVID-19 crisis, as well as the resources available to them. Here is the full recording of that meeting. You may scroll down for the slides only:

On April 4, 2020, Governor Newsom issued an Executive Order, that was intended to make child care subsidies available for Essential Workers in California, during the COVID-19 crisis. Unfortunately, this executive order did not come with additional child care funding. In Solano County, Child Care Subsidies are provided in the form of Child Development Centers, located and managed by such entities as school districts and Solano Community College. The other form of subsidy is in the form of a voucher program, which is administered by Solano Family & Children’s Services (SFCS). The voucher system provides the parent greater flexibility in choosing different types of child care providers (center-based care, family child care homes, and license-exempt providers), as well as flexibility in the hours of care needed (including evenings & weekends). Many of the Solano County Subsidized Child Development Centers have been closed due to school district campus closures. Voucher funding provided to SFCS from the State Department of Education, that would otherwise be available to serve essential workers during the COVID-19 crisis, is not available as our California Alternative Payment Program (CAPP) is fully enrolled, and has a waiting list. Solano County is provided a specific amount of child care subsidies for both the Child Development Center Contracts and Voucher Contracts. The amount of funding we receive is never enough to fully meet the needs of all eligible families. We are hopeful that the California Department of Education will work with the Administration to release more funds in order to serve our present families on the program, and the additional essential workers who qualify for this temporary assistance.

In the meantime, there are licensed family child care homes and centers that are still open and making spaces available to essential workers who can afford to pay for their child care. Families in need of child care providers can contact Solano Family & Children’s Services at 707-863-3950 Ext. 709 or by going to www.solanofamily.org and filling out the Child Care Referral form for a list of licensed child care providers.

The Solano County drive-thru COVID-19 testing site is now accepting appointments for essential employees, healthcare workers and first responders who are currently ill and whose symptoms are consistent with COVID-19 (including fever, cough, chills, and body aches). Individuals must also live and/or work in Solano County. Testing is not available for asymptomatic individuals at this time.

Essential employees include, but are not limited to, employees in the following settings:

Grocery stores, food banks, restaurants, and food delivery

Gas stations and auto-repair facilities

Transportation providers

Childcare facilities

Water, sewer, solid waste, gas, and electrical operations

Mailing and shipping services

Banks

Hardware stores, warehouses, and distribution centers

Construction

Laundry service

Telecommunications, internet, and media services

Testing is by appointment only. The phone line is open from 9am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday, or until all appointment slots are filled. The phone number is (707) 784-8655. Do not leave a message. There is no cost for this testing. Testing consists of a self-administered nasal swab, and results can be expected in 1-3 days.

Please call the Solano Public Health COVID-19 warm line at (707) 784-8988 or email COVID19@SolanoCounty.com with any questions.

Parents & Child Care Providers: During the Coronavirus crisis, we want to assure you that we are committed to doing all we can to continue serving our community while doing our part to keep our staff & clients out of harm’s way. These are questions posed by Subsidized Parents & Providers regarding the Coronavirus situation. These are not necessarily our normal practices. At the time of this writing, this is the best information we had to share with you. We are aware that our government is working on emergency legislation that will help ease the existing rules/regulations which may have a negative effect on our services to parents, as well as the monetary effect of reimbursements to our providers. We thank you for your patience & cooperation through these difficult times, and we will update this FAQ as we receive more information.

Update – March 30, 2020: We just received a new directive from the California Department of Education (CDE) regarding family fees. Family fees for the months of April, May, & June 2020 have been waived, and are not to be collected. Family fees for March & prior months will not be credited or refunded and are to be paid by the parent to their provider.

Parents Who Pay Family Fees: For the months of April, May, & June 2020, please DO NOT pay the provider your monthly family fees. Your fees will resume, as assessed/scheduled, on July 1, 2020, unless otherwise notified.

Providers: For the months of April, May, & June 2020, please DO NOT collect family fees from your Subsidized Child Care Families. SFCS WILL NOT deduct any family fees from your reimbursements for these three months. Please keep in mind that in April, we will still be reimbursing you for March & prior months of service, so these amounts will still reflect a deduction for family fees that you should have collected for March & prior months. The reimbursements we begin to process in May, for April services, is when you will first see that we are not deducting family fees.

Delinquent Family Fees: CDE has asked that parents who are behind on paying their family fees for March and prior months, not be expected to pay on these fees until after July 1, 2020. Therefore, we will not be taking action against any parent for not following through with their delinquent fee payment arrangement. If a parent would like to continue paying on their delinquent fees between now and June 30, 2020, they may do so.

Update – March 19, 2020: We just received directives from the California Department of Education (CDE) regarding reimbursements to providers who have children enrolled in our Subsidized Child Care Programs. These new directives are temporary, and effective immediately. They expire on June 30, 2020, unless rescinded sooner.

Note: These updates only apply to children receiving subsidized child care services reimbursed by SFCS. For providers who do not have subsidized children, assistance may be forthcoming via other parts of legislation, perhaps under assistance to private small business owners. We will continue to monitor new developments and will provide information as it becomes available.

Question #1: Given the closure of all public schools in Solano County (and other areas as well), will child care providers be reimbursed for the care they provide during the hours that children would normally be in school?

Answer: Yes, SFCS will reimburse child care providers for care provided, within the certified hours as stated on each family’s Certificate for Child Care Services (Notice of Communication). School-age children sometimes have two sets of authorized hours, one under “School” and the other under “Vacation”. While the schools are closed, we will reimburse up to the hours listed under “Vacation”, as long as the Child Care Attendance Form reflects that care was provided.Updated Answer: Yes, SFCS will reimburse child care providers who continue to provide child care for our enrolled children, based on the maximum certified hours listed on each family’s Certificate for Child Care Services (Notice of Communication). School-age children sometimes have two sets of authorized hours, one under “School” and the other under “Vacation”. While these directives are in effect, we will reimburse based on the maximum hours listed under “Vacation”, as long as the Child Care Provider has not closed for business. This applies to ALL subsidized providers, regardless if the Certificate is for a set schedule or variable schedule, and regardless of the child’s attendance.

Question #2: Will SFCS reimburse a backup or alternate provider if the primary provider closes their business?

Answer: Yes, SFCS will reimburse a backup or alternate provider when the primary provider is not available to care for the child. If this is the case, we ask that the parent/provider please contact their worker at SFCS as soon as possible, to ensure that this process goes smoothly.

Question #3: If I, as a parent, want to keep my children home over the next few weeks while schools are closed (or in general, due to the risk of contracting the Coronavirus), will I be terminated from the program for not using care?

Answer: No, we will not terminate families from our program for wanting to take extra safety precautions during these highly sensitive times. We sympathize with everyone’s concerns and will support your personal decisions as much as we can, within our funding guidelines. Providers with written business practices/policies will claim these as absences, and SFCS will reimburse according to our existing policies. If the Certificate is based on a set schedule, we will reimburse the absences. If the Certificate is based on a variable schedule, we will only reimburse for care that is actually provided.Updated Addendum to Answer: While these directives are in effect, we will reimburse based on the maximum hours listed under “Vacation” (on the Certificate/NOC), as long as the Child Care Provider has not closed for business. This applies to ALL subsidized providers, regardless if the Certificate is for a set schedule or variable schedule, and regardless of the child’s attendance.

Question #4: As a parent on the Subsidy Program, if my work hours are cut, and I’m unable to pay my family fee, will my services be terminated?

Answer: Whenever an enrolled family’s income goes down, the parent may request a reduction to their family fee. SFCS will recalculate the family’s adjusted gross monthly income, and if that yields a lower family fee, we will adjust the amount due.Updated Addendum to Answer: Family fees for the months of April, May, & June 2020 have been waived. Please see the March 30, 2020 Update at the beginning of this FAQ for full details.

Question #5: I’ve been told that I must choose a provider or run the risk of losing my child care subsidy. Given the current Coronavirus situation, I would prefer to keep my child home with me until I feel safe again. In this case, will I lose my subsidized child care services?

Answer: No, you will not lose your services. Please contact your SFCS worker and request a Leave of Absence/Temporary Suspension of Services. Once we return to business as usual, you will be asked to choose an eligible provider.

Question #6: Can I close my daycare until the Coronavirus scare is over?

Answer: Yes, you as a business owner have every right to close your doors whenever you see fit. We ask that you please be sensitive to your families’ needs and consider being flexible until they have found alternate care. If you choose to close, please inform SFCS and Community Care Licensing right away. When you decide to re-open, please do the same.Updated Addendum to Answer: Providers who choose to close their daycare due to the Coronavirus situation, will be reimbursed up to 30 days from the day they closed, for subsidized children enrolled at the time of closure. The reimbursement will be based on the maximum hours listed under “Vacation” (on the Certificate/NOC). This applies to ALL subsidized child care providers. If you decide to close, please contact your Provider Services Specialist to report the date of closure.

Question #7: If I decide to close my daycare, will I be allowed to use my remaining Days of Non-Operation (DNOs).

Answer: Yes, if you choose to close your daycare, you can claim your remaining DNOs, as listed in your Business Practices. Please inform SFCS right away of the change in your documented DNOs, so that they get processed correctly. Keep in mind that DNOs are limited to 10 days per fiscal year, and those days must be listed in your business practices.Updated Addendum to Answer: Providers who choose to close their daycare due to the Coronavirus situation, will be reimbursed up to 30 days from the day they close, for subsidized children enrolled at the time of closure. The reimbursement will be based on the maximum hours listed under “Vacation” (on the Certificate/NOC). This applies to ALL subsidized child care providers. If you decide to close, please contact your Provider Services Specialist to report the date of closure. If you remain closed past 30 days, and you have DNOs listed in your business practices, you may claim your remaining DNOs after that 30-day period.

Question #8: As a child care provider, will I be reimbursed for days a child is absent, due to the parent wanting the child to stay at home?

Answer: Providers with written business practices/policies may claim these as absences, and SFCS will reimburse according to our existing policies. If the Certificate is based on a set schedule, we will reimburse the absences. If the Certificate is based on a variable schedule, we will only reimburse for care that is actually provided.Updated Answer: While these directives are in effect, we will reimburse based on the maximum hours listed under “Vacation” (on the Certificate/NOC), as long as the Child Care Provider has not closed for business. This applies to ALL subsidized providers, regardless if the Certificate is for a set schedule or variable schedule, and regardless of the child’s attendance. Providers may submit a child care attendance form without the parent’s signature, if the parent is unavailable to sign due to the Coronavirus situation.

Question #9: As a licensed child care provider, can I refuse to care for a child who hangs out with another child whose parent has the coronavirus?

Answer: Please call Community Care Licensing at (707) 588-5026 for guidance on this matter.

For more information/guidance to child care providers, please review this information put together by the Child Care Law Center…Link Child Care Law Center Info.

For more information/guidance to child care providers, please review this information put together by the Child Care Law Center…Link Child Care Law Center Info.

As child care providers and early childhood educators, you are likely following many of the policies and procedures for reducing the risk of COVID-19. Reducing the risk of spreading COVID-19 is the same as preventing the flu or other respiratory illnesses in child care programs.

Solano County Public Health Department will have the latest information and advice for your geographic location, such as cases of confirmed COVID-19, school closures, and cancellations in your city. Consult their website for more information Solano County Public Health

Since 1997, the California Child Care Resource & Referral Network has produced the biennial California Child Care Portfolio. This presents a unique portrait of child care supply, demand, and cost statewide and county-by-county, as well as information on employment, poverty, and family budgets. The child care data in this report is gathered with the assistance of local child care resource and referral programs. This publication has consistently been relied on by policymakers, business leaders, health care professionals, educators, planning agencies, and child advocates to understand the child care needs of California families. To see the report specifically for Solano County, Click here.